The DSi XL's larger size, jumbo touch pen, bigger screen and refined old people colors (Wine Red?) made it seem like the DSi XL is targeted at old people. That's not necessarily true, says Nintendo.

When the DSi XL launched in Japan late last year as the DSi LL, Nintendo rolled out an ad campaign featuring an elderly lady playing the DSi XL with her family. Japan, where the portable was designed, has a rapidly growing senior citizen population.

Nintendo's new DSi model—dubbed the DSi LL in Japan, DSi XL elsewhere—is huge. How huge?…
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"It's absolutely not [just for old people]. DSi XL appeals to as many people, if not more, than its predecessors," Nintendo senior product manager for DS James Honeywell told website CVG. That's right, the DSi XL appeals to young people who must help old people to use it. Oh, people with poor eyesight as well. Kidding!

"With bigger screens and a larger pen-like stylus it's likely that older users may find the DSi XL easier and more comfortable to use but there are many more people it can and will appeal to," Honeywell added. He also pointed out that it is easier to find the larger stylus between sofa cushions.

The DSi XL features a 4.2 inch screen, and at 314 grams, the XL is also the heaviest portable of this generation.

When Kotaku had several Japanese consumers who were under the age of 35 have a go at the DSi XL, it was pointed out that the screen is so large that it doesn't give the gamer any privacy in public. Another complaint was that compared to the standard DSi, the DSi XL was too heavy, too bulky and too XL for a portable. Both points might make the sofa cushion remark more relevant.